Colonial Colleges
Introduction
The Colonial Colleges are nine institutions of higher education chartered in the American Colonial period (1607–1776). They are among the oldest colleges in the United States, and they set the stage for the current American system of education. These colleges were established for various reasons, ranging from the desire to train ministers to the desire to promote higher learning in the New World.
Founding and Early History
The first of the Colonial Colleges to be established was Harvard, founded in 1636 by the Massachusetts Bay Colony. It was initially created to train ministers, reflecting the religious orientation of the early colonists. The college was named after its first benefactor, John Harvard, who left his library and half his estate to the institution.
The next to be founded was the William & Mary in 1693, in Virginia. It was chartered by King William III and Queen Mary II who wanted to establish an institution in the New World where the Anglican clergy could be trained. William & Mary is also known for being the first institution in the U.S. to establish an honor code of conduct for students.
Yale was founded in 1701 in Connecticut. It was originally known as the Collegiate School and was primarily focused on religious and classical education. It was renamed Yale College in 1718 in honor of Elihu Yale, a governor of the British East India Company who made a series of donations to the school.
Expansion and Influence
The Colonial Colleges continued to grow and expand throughout the 18th century. Princeton (then known as the College of New Jersey) was founded in 1746, primarily to train ministers. Columbia (originally King's College) was established in 1754 in New York City. It was the first college in New York and the fifth in the United States.
Pennsylvania, founded in 1755, was the first institution of higher learning in the U.S. to refer to itself as a university. It was also the first to provide a multidisciplinary education, breaking away from the strictly religious focus of the earlier colleges.
Brown in Rhode Island was founded in 1764 as the College in the English Colony of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations. It was the first college in the U.S. to accept students regardless of their religious affiliation.
The last of the Colonial Colleges to be founded were Rutgers, then known as Queen's College, in 1766, and Dartmouth in 1769. Dartmouth was the last college to be founded before the American Revolution.
Impact on American Education
The Colonial Colleges played a significant role in shaping the American system of higher education. They were the first institutions in the U.S. to offer a broad, liberal arts education, and they set the standard for academic rigor and scholarly pursuit.
These colleges also played a significant role in the development of American society. Many of the nation's early leaders, including several signers of the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution, were educated at these institutions.
Legacy and Modern Status
Today, all of the Colonial Colleges remain in operation and are considered to be among the most prestigious institutions of higher learning in the U.S. They are all members of the Ivy League, with the exception of William & Mary and Rutgers, which are public universities.
These colleges continue to uphold the traditions and standards set by their founders, and they remain at the forefront of academic research and education in the U.S.